a recurrence of similar things in future, it would, perhaps be best, that all the purchases and business of the Government relative to expenditures in this City be done through the General Agent.

The Schooner Liberty has been expensive, an examination into her accounts may be necessary. A very rigid scrutiny and examination into the accounts of public agents is indispensably necessary, and a strict accountability should be established. If this is not done in the commencement of our financial operations, carelessness, confusion and waste, and perhaps fraud, will creep into the Treasury Department, which will totally destroy all confidence and credit, and ruin our Cause.

We have purchased the Schooner "Ingham" (late Revenue cutter) and she is fitting out by the Genl. Agent, under the Superintendance of Captain Hawkins, who is to command her.

Our colleague, W H. Wharton left on the 17th for Nashville, we have been detained to close the second loan, and complete the other business, but expect to leave to-morrow.

By the last accounts from the Mexican ports, it appears that active preparations are making to invade Texas by sea and land. Several heavy armed vessels are fitting out at Campeachy and Vera Cruz. General Santa Anna, was daily expected at Matamoros, etc.

We have authorized Col. Thos. D. Owings to raise, arm and equip a body of volunteers for the service of Texas, not to exceed fifteen hundred men, to be in Texas by March next. The expenses of arming, equipping and transporting, are to be refunded after the close

of the War.

We have requested him to correspond with you on the subject," and enclose you a copy of our letter to him. We have introduced him to the Genl. agent Wm Bryan with whom he will correspond.

We recommend that you keep the genl. agent informed regularly every week, of everything calculated to promote our cause, that he may publish it.

Respectfully your obt servts,

S. F. AUSTIN

B. T. ARCHER

NEW ORLEANS January 18, 1836

Col. T. D. OWINGS late Col of 28th U. S. infantry
SIR

Your offer to furnish one or more Regiments not to exceed fifteen hundred men in all, to be in Texas by March next, armed and equipped for the service of Texas, in the struggle in which she is at present

From this point to the end the handwriting is Austin's.'

engaged, with the Military and Unconstitutional Government of Mexico, is thankfully received.

Our cause is that of Liberty, Religious toleration and Freedom of Conscience against Usurpation, Despotism, and the Unnatural and Unholy Monopolies of the Church of Rome. We wish to extend the blessings of Civil Liberty over one of the fairest portions of this Continent, and to offer a home upon its fertile soil, to the pious and Industrious of all Religious Denominations. In doing this, we invade no right appertaining to Mexico, we violate no duty, on the contrary, Right and Justice and Duty loudly call upon us to resist Oppression and defend ourselves-they call upon the noble, the liberal, the pious and the free to fly to our aid, and assist in planting the Standards of Independence and of Freedom in Texas.

Your offer is accepted. The Regiment or Regiments of volunteers, which you propose to raise, will be received into the service of Texas, on the terms and conditions, enacted by the Provisional Government of Texas, by their ordinance of 5th December last, and other laws and obligations now in force on the subject. The expense of arming and equipping said force, so far as it is done by you, will be refunded to you by the Provisional Government, at the close of the War, or as soon as the finances of the Country will permit; Said arms and equipment to be furnished to the Government at a fair valuation. Ammunition and provisions furnished by you for said force, will also be put on the same footing as the arms and equipments. The accounts to be duly audited and substantiated by the proper vouchers. A reasonable allowance will also be paid for the transportation of said Regiment or Regiments to Texas.

On your arrival there you will report yourself to the Governor of Texas, or the Commander in Chief of the Army, in conformity with said ordinance of 5th December, after which yourself and troops will be considered as having formally entered into the service of Texas, and their pay and rations commence from that time.

It is understood that the above mentioned force of volunteers are to be received, although the number should not amount to fifteen hundred men, it is however, not to exceed that number, and they are to be in Texas by the month of March next.

The Bounty lands of the Volunteers, are to be located under the direction of the Government, and no claims or rights existing, or for which the Government of Texas may be compromitted, at the time of receiving said volunteers, are to be interfered with.

S. F. AUSTIN

B. T. ARCHER

Passed by Council December 5, and approved by Governor Smith December 8. See Gammel, Laws of Texas, I, 951-954.

Address Col Owings at Owingsville Bath County Kentucky-he wishes the earliest information possible relative to the affairs of Texas, and whether men will be needed immediately."

[Copy.']

Mr A J. YATES

SIR,

NEW ORLEANS, January 21st 1836.

Your letter of the 16th instant, submitting an offer to proceed to the City of New York, and purchase a Steam Vessel for the Government of Texas, has been received, and is accepted.

In accordance with your proposal, you will receive herewith, two hundred dollars, and a letter of credit, pledging the faith of the Government of Texas, as we are authorized to do, for an amount not exceeding twenty thousand dollars, to be paid out of the loan negociated in New Orleans on the 11th instant, with which we wish you to proceed, with all possible despatch to the City of New York, and purchase a Steam vessel of not more than three hundred tons burthen, and one of two hundred would be much preferable, strong and substantially built to bear heavy guns, say 18 pounders, and in every way fit for sea service.

The object of this Steamer is to defend our coasts and harbours from Mexican cruisers, and to facilitate the safe transportation of troops, emigrants, and the munitions of war; she is therefore to be provided with such armament of heavy cannon and small arms as may be necessary to effect said object, and well commanded by experienced officers, sufficiently manned with seamen, gunners etc, and supplied with munitions and provisions for at least three months.

You will also advertise for passengers for Texas, and charge them such reasonable price for passage as in your judgment should be proper, and if any should take passage in said Boat, with intention of entering into the service of Texas, they shall have their passage money refunded to them, on being received into the service. Any organized companies who shall take passage with you, regularly armed and

This postscript, written on the same sheet with the copy of the letter to Owings, was intended for Governor Smith.

This copy and those of the two notes and the receipt that follow are all written on the same sheet.

In a letter to Governor Smith dated February 25, 1836, Yates writes that he is on the point of purchasing a vessel which will bring to Texas two hundred and fifty men armed and equipped, now ready to be taken as passengers. He has a prospect also of purchasing and sending out another vessel to carry a load of passengers and to be paid for in lands at fifty cents per acre.

The letter in which this was enclosed is dated January 20, and it must have been held over to receive the enclosures.

equipped for the same service shall also be further repaid for such arms and equipments, at a reasonable price by the Government, as soon as funds for that purpose can be procured to the public Treasury. You will have said vessel cleared from the Custom House in New York, in your own name, as owner, and fully insured, and proceed direct to Galveston Bay or any other port in Texas, and report yourself, and the vessel and passengers to the Governor of Texas, and present your accounts, supported by the proper vouchers, to be audited, and execute a sale of said Vessel to the Government, and return her Register to the City of New York.

As despatch is of the greatest importance, in executing the foregoing commission, you are desired to make every effort to sail from the City of New York, on or before the first day of March next. Your personal expenses on the journy will be allowed and such reasonable compensation for your time, as the Government shall hereafter determine on delivery of said vessel.

You are hereby authorized to draw on William Bryan the General agent of the Government of Texas, in the City of New Orleans, for the sum of Twenty Thousand dollars, payable at the Bank of New Orleans, at the time that the instalment hereafter to become due on the Loan negociated by the Commissioners on the 11th instant, shall become due, and you are to account to the Government of Texas for the proceeds of said draft, in conformity with the letter of Instructions this day given you by said Commissioners.

You are hereby authorized to accept the drafts of A J. Yates, drawn on you as General agent of the Government of Texas, in the

City of New Orleans, said drafts to be made payable at any time subsequent to the date when the instalment on the Loan negociated by the Commissioners, in behalf of said Government, on the 11th instant shall become payable, and to pay the same from the proceeds of said instalments, to the amount of Twenty Thousand Dollars, and retain this letter of advice, and said drafts, with the letter of advice of said Yates, as your vouchers therefor.

I have this day received of the Commissioners of Texas the sum of Two hundred dollars in Cash, and a letter of credit, of which the above is a copy, for the sum of Twenty Thousand Dollars, for which I am to account to the Government of Texas, agreable to the foregoing letter of instructions from said Commissioners.

A J. YATES

AUSTIN AND ARCHER TO YATES."

AUSTIN AND ARCHER TO YATES."

AUSTIN AND ARCHER TO BRYAN.C

RECEIPT OF YATES TO COMMISSIONERS [AUSTIN AND ARCHER]."

AUSTIN AND ARCHER TO SMITH."

NEW ORLEANS Jan. 22. 1836.

We have deposited ten thousand dollars in the Bank of Orleans subject to the orders of the Govt. which must be drawn for in the manner stated in our instructions

Govor HENY SMITH

S. F. AUSTIN

B. T. ARCHER

January 21, 1836. See Austin and Archer to Smith, January 20, 1836.

January 21, 1836. This letter was inclosed in another of the same title and date.

See Austin and Archer to Smith, January 20, 1836.

• January 21, 1836. See Austin and Archer to Smith, January 20, 1836.

d Draft in Austin's hand; signature original.